About Melissa
Hello, I’m Mel!
I’m a Canadian travel blogger who has been traveling and living abroad since 2014.
Learn more about my story below.
Life before blogging
I’m originally from Quebec, Canada. Back in the days, I used to be a social worker. I used to travel once a year for about a month and I was always spending my summers in Europe since I was 20 years old.
In June 2014, I started my journey around the world at the age of 25.
Life on the road
I first started my journey in the Canadian Rockies, where I hitch-hiked my way around. Then, I moved to Australia for two years. I started A Broken Backpack in July 2015. Back then, I was working on a farm in Australia and needed something to stay entertained. Quickly, A Broken Backpack became popular.
After Australia, I decided to go on a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. Later, I moved to the UK for less than a year.
In October 2017, I decided to move to Southeast Asia. Bali became my home for about one and a half years.
In 2019, I was based mostly in Thailand.
In 2020, I moved to Bulgaria.
In 2022, I moved to Thailand, and it became my main base.
Of course, I do plan occasional trips in and out, but since I’m running an online business and a few successful blogs, I prefer slow travel.
This brings me to you
A Broken Backpack offers excellent travel tips to help you stay on the road longer. I left Canada with less than CAD 2,000 in my name (and many student debts).
I’m living proof that you don’t need tons of savings to make your travel dreams come true.
I learned how to travel on the very cheap, volunteered when I needed to, and created an online business to support myself abroad. I share all these tips here on A Broken Backpack.
I’m now in my thirties, and my travel style has evolved. I’m not all about budget travel anymore, and I now travel with my husband (we met in Thailand).
So, A Broken Backpack is not just a budget travel blog anymore. You’ll find all the travel tips needed to plan your dream trip no matter your travel style, budget, or interest.
Pick Your Travel Style
Living Abroad
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Digital Nomadism
Volunteering
Read my latest blog posts
Revealed: The Best Areas To Stay In Majorca
Ah, Majorca (Mallorca) - the Spanish Island paradise that draws in thousands of tourists every year. With its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, it's no wonder why so many people flock to this Mediterranean gem. But with all the different areas to stay in Majorca,...
Perfect 2 Days In Oslo Itinerary
Recent years have seen Oslo's popularity grow enormously, and the city is now considered one of Scandinavia's best places to visit alongside Stockholm and Copenhagen. There is simply so much to see and do in Norway’s capital that every traveler will find something to...
How Many Days At The Grand Canyon Is Enough?
Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon soon? You might be wondering how many days in the Grand Canyon is enough. The answer, of course, depends on what you want to do and see while you're in the area. If you're interested in hiking and really exploring the region, we...
Is Kuala Lumpur Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know
With its bustling atmosphere, endless entertainment options, and mix of traditional culture and modern architecture, Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting Southeast Asian countries to visit. However, Kuala Lumpur is a big city, and Malaysian culture differs from...
Is Koh Samui Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know
Dreaming of spending your days lying on a soft white beach with a palm tree overhead and a cocktail in hand to keep you cool? Koh Samui is the ultimate Thai paradise. This bustling island is one of the biggest tourist hotspots in Thailand, welcoming around 2,700,000...
How Many Days In Yosemite Is Enough?
Planning a trip to Yosemite soon? You might be wondering how many days in Yosemite is enough. The answer, of course, depends on what you want to do and see while you're in the area. If you're interested in exploring the region, we suggest spending at least two or...